Beat the summer heat with these light and refreshing dinner ideas, perfect for hot days when you crave something cool and satisfying. From vibrant main dish salads to delicious sandwiches and more, these recipes are easy to prepare and sure to keep you feeling fresh and cool.

Fresh Garden Picked Tomato Soup With Basil

fresh picked tomatoes made into soup with basil and wine
Fresh Tomato Soup With Basil Image Credit: Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality
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This fresh tomato basil soup recipe is full of creamy sweet tomato flavor using just-picked tomatoes, onions, basil, marsala wine, a little butter, and cream.  Fresh tomato soup is perfect for an easy lunch, and you can even make a big batch and can it for later!

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Fresh Tomato Soup With Basil

Spaghetti With Fresh Garden Tomatoes

Spaghetti with fresh roasted cherry tomatoes on top and basil
Spaghetti With Fresh Garden Tomatoes Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

Spaghetti Sauce With Fresh Tomatoes is a simple vegan recipe that is full of delicious Italian flavors and a touch of spice. When you make this recipe, your home will be filled with the aroma of roasted garlic, tomatoes, and herbs, just like an Italian grandma’s kitchen.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Spaghetti With Fresh Garden Tomatoes

Pan-Seared Tilapia with Lemon Butter

Lemon butter tilapia
Pan-Seared Tilapia with Lemon Butter Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

Enjoy this lemon butter tilapia in a pan, which is infused with a hint of tart lemon, cilantro, and sweet, creamy butter that creates a delicious light dinner for your family.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Pan-Seared Tilapia with Lemon Butter

Homemade Chicken Salad Sandwich Filling

extra creamy chicken salad on rye bread
Homemade Chicken Salad Sandwich Filling – Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

This chicken salad recipe is quick and easy, taking less than 15 minutes to prepare. The best part is that you can customize it to your liking with a variety of add-ins. I will give you some great ideas to elevate this simple recipe and create your unique version.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Homemade Chicken Salad Sandwich Filling

Famous Pimento Cheese Sandwichs

masters pimento cheese
Famous Pimento Cheese Sandwichs – Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

Pimento cheese is a traditional southern sandwich spread made with shredded cheese, mayonnaise, diced pimentos, and various seasonings. I know it seems a bit odd, but trust me, this sandwich spread is fantastic. 

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Famous Pimento Cheese Sandwichs

Nutty Kale Salad With Honey Almond Dressing

Kale salad with chopped vegetables and pomegranate
Nutty Kale Salad With Honey Almond Dressing – Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

This easy-to-make Kale Salad bursts with fresh, colorful veggies, fruit, and crunchy seeds, then drizzled with homemade sweet honey and almond butter dressing.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Nutty Kale Salad With Honey Almond Dressing

Italian Bread Salad With Garden Tomatoes

cherry tomato bread salad
Italian Bread Salad With Garden Tomatoes – Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

Easy Panzanella Bread Salad is loaded with crusty bread, cherry tomatoes, green olives, capers, fresh basil, then lightly tossed with a dressing of fresh garlic, olive oil, anchovies, and red wine vinegar.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Italian Bread Salad With Garden Tomatoes

Famous Chicken Salad Sandwich

chicken salad on wheat masters copycat
Famous Chicken Salad Sandwich – Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

This recipe is a classic Southern chicken salad. Augusta National always focuses on excellence, using quality key ingredients to shine, just like they have with this sandwich.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Famous Chicken Salad Sandwich

Crispy Skin Air Fryer Chicken Legs

chicken legs
Crispy Skin Air Fryer Chicken Legs – Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

The whole family will enjoy this Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Leg Recipe for a quick and easy dinner. It only takes 2 minutes to prepare before you start cooking in your air fryer.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Crispy Skin Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Cuban Quinoa Bowl

cuban bowl with toppings
Cuban Quinoa BowlImage – Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

This Cuban Quinoa Bowl is packed with flavor thanks to a variety of vegetables, grains, and seasoning. There are sweet potatoes, quinoa, black beans, salad with tomatoes, and smashed avocados all topped with a creamy cashew sazon dressing.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Cuban Quinoa Bowl

Copycat Panera Fuji Apple Salad Recipe

Panera copycat apple salad
Copycat Panera Fuji Apple Salad Recipe – Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

This Fuji Apple Salad Recipe is loaded with fresh, crisp fuji apples, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, then drizzled with a cinnamon honey vinegarette. If you enjoy a fresh, slightly sweet salad loaded with nuts and fruit, then you need to try this best salad recipe.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Copycat Panera Fuji Apple Salad Recipe

Greek Wedge Salad

Creek wedge salad
Greek Wedge SaladImage – Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

This Greek Wedge Salad Recipe creates a fresh, easy-to-make wedge salad that is drizzled with flavorful homemade Greek dressing. Perfect as a side dish at dinner or a meal at lunchtime.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Greek Wedge Salad

Light Mini Tea Sandwich Recipes

a variety of make ahead sandwiches perfect for a derby party
Light Mini Tea Sandwich Recipes – Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

Discover a delightful array of make-ahead tea sandwich recipes for your next tea party, bridal shower or any other special event. From classic cucumber sandwiches to creative fillings, explore a variety of tea party food ideas that can be prepared in advance.

Get All The Recipes: Light Mini Tea Sandwich Recipes

Pan-Seared Herb Crusted Chicken Copycat

texas roadhouse chicken
Herb Pan-Seared Chicken Copycat Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

This copycat recipe for Texas Roadhouse Herb Crusted Chicken is so flavorful and cooks up juicy on the inside with a perfect seared herb crust on the outside. This recipe teaches you the perfect combination of seasonings and a simple cooking technique to ensure your chicken is restaurant-quality, right in your own kitchen.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Herb Pan-Seared Chicken Copycat

Creamy Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe

egg salad masters recipe
Creamy Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe Image credit goes to Intentional Hospitality

This famous Masters golf recipe might surprise you because it seems too simple. But the tradition of high-quality, fresh ingredients is the key to the sumptuous egg salad served on the course in Augusta.

Get The Full Recipe Ingredients and Instructions: Creamy Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe

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